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{{Infobox automobile
| name           = Fiat 130
| image = Fiat 130 165PS 1976 2.jpg
| caption        = 1976 Fiat 130 saloon
| aka            = 
| manufacturer   = [[Fiat]]
| production     = 1969–1977
| designer       = Gian Paolo Boano (saloon)<br />[[Paolo Martin]] at [[Pininfarina]] (Coupé)
| class          = [[Executive car]]
| body_style     = 4-door [[Sedan (car)|saloon]]<br />2-door [[coupé]]
| layout         = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| related        = 
| engine         = {{ubl
  | '''[[Petrol engine|petrol]]:'''
  | 2.8&nbsp;L ''130 tipo A'' [[V6 engine|V6]]
  | 3.2&nbsp;L ''130 tipo B'' V6
  }}
| transmission   = 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]<br />3-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
| wheelbase      = {{convert|2720|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length         = {{convert|4750|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width          = {{convert|1803|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height         = {{convert|1473|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight         = {{convert|1550|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| predecessor    = [[Fiat 2300]]
| successor      = [[Fiat Argenta]]
| sp = uk
}}
The '''Fiat 130''' is a large [[executive car]] which was produced by Italian car manufacturer [[Fiat]] from 1969 to 1977. It was available as a 4-door [[Sedan (car)|saloon]] and as a 2-door [[coupé]]. It has a [[V6 engine]] which is [[front-engine design|mounted in the front]] and [[rear-wheel drive|drives the rear wheels]].

==History==
The saloon was launched at the [[Geneva International Motor Show#1969|39th Geneva Motor Show]] in March 1969,<ref name="Autocar1969">{{cite magazine |title=39th Geneva Salon |volume=130 | magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |number=3814 |pages=49–53 |date=20 March 1969}}</ref> replacing the previous largest and most exclusive Fiat saloon, the [[Fiat 2300]]. It was a thoroughly modern car, with four-wheel [[independent suspension]] (modified [[MacPherson strut]]s front and rear, with [[torsion bar]]s in the front and [[coil spring]]s in the rear).<ref name="CarsFrom">{{cite web |url=http://www.carsfromitaly.com/fiat/130.html |title=Fiat 130 |website=carsfromitaly.com |access-date=2006-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050401064203/http://www.carsfromitaly.com/fiat/130.html |archive-date=2005-04-01}}</ref>

The Coupé, based on the same platform, was introduced in March 1971 having been designed by [[Paolo Martin]] of [[Pininfarina]], who also manufactured the car. With a unique interior design (adopted in the saloon when it was upgraded to the 130B version which also featured the Coupé's enlarged 3235-cc V6), it featured a button-operated mechanism allowing the driver to open the passenger-side door. In addition to this model, there were two one-off variations built, a three-door estate named ''Maremma'' and a four-door saloon named ''Opera''.<ref name="CarsFrom" />

Production of the saloon ended in 1976 with no direct replacement, and with 15,093 produced (including 4 Familiares, station wagon/estate versions converted by Officine Introzzo of Como). The Coupé continued until the following year, and 4,294 were built in total.<ref name="CarsFrom" />

==Specifications==

===Engine and transmission===
Using the "128 type A" motor as a basis, a new crossflow [[V6]] engine, with a 60° vee angle and rubber-toothed-belt driven [[twin cam|twin overhead camshafts]] was developed for the model by [[Aurelio Lampredi]].<ref name="mirafiori.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.mirafiori.com/130/geir.html |title=Letter from Geir re: 130 Engine |website=mirafiori.com |access-date=2007-06-22}}</ref> It became known as the "130 type A" engine with a capacity of 2,866&nbsp;cc and a power output of {{cvt|140|PS|kW hp|0}} at 5,600&nbsp;rpm.

The 2.8-litre engine was uprated to {{cvt|160|PS|kW hp|0}} for 1970,<ref name="CarsFrom"/> which involved raising the compression ratio from 8.3:1 to 9.0:1, increasing the size of the carburettor choke from 42 to 45&nbsp;mm and reducing back pressure by extending the portion of the exhaust manifold that used individual pipes on each side of the V format engine.<ref name="Motor197004">{{cite journal |first=Michael |last=Bowler |title=A tale of five Fiats |journal=Motor|pages=38–41 |date=18 April 1970}}</ref> This provided useful performance improvements in a market-segment where relatively [[Mercedes-Benz W114|new]] [[Jaguar XJ6|models]] from [[Mercedes-Benz]] and [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] were setting an increasingly competitive pace.<ref name=Motor197004/>

In 1971, the "130 type B" engine was introduced, featuring a slightly increased bore (102&nbsp;mm instead of 96&nbsp;mm), displacing 3,235&nbsp;cc and producing {{cvt|165|PS|kW hp|0}}<ref name="CarsFrom" /> at 5,600&nbsp;rpm.

Power was delivered to the rear axle via standard Borg-Warner three-speed [[automatic transmission]], and a five-speed ZF S5-18/3 [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] [[manual transmission|manual]] was an option.

===Suspension===
Front suspension was a modified [[MacPherson strut]], with longitudinal torsion bars acting at base of the control arms instead of coil springs on the struts, to allow room for the wide V6 and the optional air conditioning. The height of the front suspension is adjustable, using eccentric cams in the ends of the torsion bars, where they are attached to the body.

The rear suspension is a modified [[Chapman strut]], using nearly trailing arms carrying the coil springs, axle shafts as lateral control links, and toe control links, with good wheel geometry control. Axle shafts are connected by universal joints at both the hubs and the limited-slip differential. The rear suspension geometry can be finely tuned.

===Steering===
The 130 had [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] [[power steering]]. The steering column was adjustable for rake and reach.

==Models==

===Fiat 130 Saloon type "A"===
Launched in 1969, with the 2866 cc {{convert|140|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} engine. The press soon concluded that the {{convert|140|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} was insufficient in view of the weight of {{convert|1510|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}, hence the Fiat 130 berlina type "A" did not compete with the big BMW and Mercedes sedans. Interior design was not ambitious, with rectangular dials in the dashboard, a black plastic centre console and black plastic everywhere.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

===Fiat 130 Coupé===
[[File:Fiat 130.jpg|thumb|right|Fiat 130 Coupé]]
Identified as type "BC" on their chassis, the 130 Coupé appeared in 1971 at Geneva motor show exhibiting a completely new 2-door body and a completely new interior.  Both exterior and interior styling were designed by [[Paolo Martin]] at Pininfarina. The car won a design prize, attributed to Pininfarina, and this helped Pininfarina begin a new life after years relying on the "Fiat 1800/Peugeot 404/Austin A60" concepts. Pininfarina unsuccessfully proposed following the Fiat 130 Coupé proposals with the Maremma in 1974 (2-door shooting brake) and the Opera in 1975 (4-door saloon). Paolo Martin was not involved in these Fiat 130 Coupé variations, as he left the company soon after the design prize in 1971.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

The seats were shaped and designed by Paolo Martin with the collaboration of Giovanni Gottin, a specialist established in Turin. The dashboard was redesigned with round dials with white needles. The central console was redesigned by Paolo Martin, featuring wooden veneer, a row of switches and soft illumination throughout using state of the art fibre optics. The steering column is adjustable for rake and reach. The driver's seat has a degree of height adjustment.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} An original and gallant element was the option to open the passenger door from the driver's seat by pulling a lever just underneath the dashboard, next to the middle console. <ref>Visani, Marco, ''Fiat 130 Berlina e Coupé: le vetture che hanno fatto la storia'', page 54.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
|-
! colspan=15| Fiat 130 Coupé production figures*
|-
! 1971
! 1972
! 1973
! 1974
! 1975
! 1976
! 1977
! Totals
|-
|347||1,746||1,344||617||197||221||19||4,491
|-
|}
''*stated by Pininfarina production records''

===Fiat 130 Saloon type "B"===
[[File:Fiat 130 165PS 1976 3.jpg|thumb|right|1976 Fiat 130 saloon (rear view)]]
These cars were improved in 1971, taking on board some Paolo Martin innovations conceived for the Coupé. The steering column, the dashboard, the central console and the ventilation are identical to the Coupé. The seats, the steering wheel and the door panels were improved, but differently from the Coupé. One can say the 1971 "B" version from 1971 is significantly more refined than the "A" version dating from 1969.
Retrospectively, if one compares the 130 with big BMW and Mercedes sedans, the Fiat 130 Berlina type "B" may be the winner in terms of interior design and some comfort elements. But if one is considering the dynamic elements like power and ride comfort, the Fiat 130 type "B" is still lagging as the engine is not blessed with fuel injection (somewhat difficult to start—depending on the conditions), the engine does not have hydraulic self-adjusting valves, and the engine is simply not powerful enough. All this combines with a worryingly high fuel consumption. And this lack of dash and lack of efficiency are not compensated for with an extra smooth ride.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

===Fiat 130 Familiare===
[[File:Fiat130combi.jpg|thumb|right|Fiat 130 Familiare by Introzzi]]
The Agnellis charged Officina Introzzi of Lake Como with building an estate version of the 130 saloon, called the 130 Familiare.<ref name=FCAfam>{{cite web | url = https://www.fcaheritage.com/en-uk/heritage/stories/fiat-130-familiare | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508050836/https://www.fcaheritage.com/en-uk/heritage/stories/fiat-130-familiare | archive-date = 2021-05-08 | title = Fiat 130 3200 Familiare: An Agnelli family exclusive | work = Fiat Classiche | publisher = FCA Italy S.p.a. }}</ref> The design was executed by Fiat Design Centre, while Introzzi built the cars. Four were built, exclusively for the Agnelli family and their friends. The first car, fitted with wood panelling and a roof rack including a wicker basket, was [[Gianni Agnelli]]'s personal car and is called the Fiat 130 Villa d'Este - a name later used by Introzzi on other luxuriously appointed Fiats, including the Ritmo and Panda.<ref name=FCAfam/><ref name=900T>{{cite web | url = https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1423342 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230425130320/https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1423342 | archive-date = 2023-04-25 | title = 1979 Fiat 900T Introzzi original sold | author = Veloce Classic Italia SRLS | publisher = Car And Classic Ltd. }}</ref>

==Critical appraisal==
British [[The Motor|''Motor'' magazine]] reviewed the 130 and decided that the car's strong points were excellent handling and road-holding, smooth ride, very high standard of interior and comfort plus an enormous boot. Against the car were its noisy engine, heavy fuel consumption and price.<ref>''Motor'', Aug 12, 1972, page 4.</ref> ''Motor'' described its cornering power as very high.<ref>''Motor'', Aug 12, 1972, page 6.</ref> The UK's ''Autocar'' tested the car and described it as "a dignified Italian". The overall verdict from ''Autocar'' was similar to that of ''Motor'', but they added that the brakes were spongy [and] road noise was obtrusive, though to its credit the car was very well appointed and finished and had first-class visibility.<ref name="Autocar 1972. page 12">''Autocar'', 21 September 1972. page 12.</ref> Concerning the handling, the road-testers went on to write that "seldom have we encountered such excellent handling in a car of this size. Its superbly balanced feel inspires tremendous confidence, allowing high averages to be achieved without conscious driver effort".<ref name="Autocar 1972. page 12"/> Under a review of the coupé version of the 130, ''Car'' described the engine as providing a comfortable level of overall performance with good intermediate range torque. According to ''Car'' the saloon had a less-controlled ride than the coupé and less positive handling, the hard-driven saloon getting "more wallowy at times"<ref>{{cite journal |last=Fraser |first=I. |date=June 1973 |title=Lancia, where are you? |journal=[[Car (magazine)|Car]] |page=67}}</ref>

==References==
{{commons category}}
{{reflist}}

{{Fiat}}
{{Early European Fiat vehicles}}

[[Category:Fiat vehicles|130]]
[[Category:1970s cars|Fiat 130]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1969]]
[[Category:Flagship vehicles]]
[[Category:Executive cars]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:Pininfarina]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1977]]